Prosecutor criticizes Albuquerque police in scathing letter

ALBUQUERQUE — The former longtime New Mexico prosecutor whose territory encompassed Albuquerque has compared the city's police department to a criminal enterprise in one of her final acts in office.

Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg wrote in a farewell letter to U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez that the Albuquerque Police Department is affected by widespread corruption and is unwilling to change.

"If any other group of individuals were acting the way APD has allegedly been acting, some of us in law enforcement might refer to them as a continuing criminal enterprise ... I appreciate how bold a statement that is," she wrote in the letter sent Dec. 29 and made public Tuesday.

Police Chief Gorden Eden vehemently denying the claims.

"I take strong exception to the baseless allegations the former district attorney made against the dedicated men and women of this Department as she left office," Eden said in a statement. "Albuquerque Police Department officers work tirelessly day after day to keep our community safe."

The department worked to maintain a professional working relationship with Brandenburg and her office during her 16-year tenure that ended Jan. 1, Eden said.

"Unfortunately, Ms. Brandenburg's letter shows her response to those efforts," he said.

He said he looks forward to developing a productive relationship with new Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez.

Albuquerque police are involved in a yearslong reform effort brought on by a U.S. Department of Justice investigation, which found a pattern of excessive force.